Retrograde tracing along “cystic duct” method to prevent biliary misidentification injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury remains the most serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the main cause was misidentification of cystic duct (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and security of retrograde tracing along “cystic duct” (RTACD) method for the prevention of biliary misidentification injury in LC. The conception of RTACD method was first described and then illustrated by simulation dissection with extrahepatic biliary structure charts. A total of 840 patients undergoing LC were selected. After the “CD” was separated during operation, its authenticity was identified by RTACD method according to its course and origin. The “CD” can be clipped/divided only when it was identified to be true CD. Among 840 patients, the initially separated “CD” was identified as actual CD in 831 cases, common hepatic (bile) duct in six cases, accessory right posterior sectoral duct in two cases, and right haptic duct in one case. LCs were successfully finished in 837 patients, and converted to open cholecystectomy in three cases. The average operation time was 64.23 min (range 25–225 min), and the average blood loss was 8.07 ml (range 2–200 ml). No biliary misidentification injury was found. All patients recovered smoothly. No jaundice or abdominal pain was noted in the patients during 1–19 months follow-up. RTACD method is a safe and effective new technique of preventing biliary misidentification injury.